Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1385Unlawful killing (manslaughter) · Co. Dublin · 11 Aug 2024

Olesja Hertova jailed for two years and nine months for unlawful killing of husband James Ryan in Balbriggan

Olesja Hertova, a 49-year-old Czech woman, pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of her partner James Ryan, a 69-year-old man, after pushing him during an argument at their home in Balbriggan, Dublin, on August 11, 2024, causing him to fall and strike his head. The couple had been in a relationship for sixteen years and had a 15-year-old daughter together. Neighbours' CCTV footage of the push was given to gardaí, and Hertova was arrested on August 27, 2024. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced her to two years and nine months in prison on July 4, 2025, backdated to her August 2024 custody, after a headline sentence of five years was reduced on mitigation.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced4 Jul
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Hertova pleaded guilty to one count of the unlawful killing of James Ryan after pushing him during an argument, causing him to fall and strike his head.
Where
The incident occurred at Hastings Lawn, Balbriggan, Dublin.
When
Mr Ryan died on August 11, 2024.
Cause
The cause of death was a blunt force head injury due to a fall.
Investigation
Neighbours gave CCTV footage of the push to gardaí, and Hertova was arrested on August 27, 2024.
Charges
Hertova was charged with one count of unlawful killing.
In court
The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Martin Nolan.
Sentence
Hertova was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison, backdated to August 2024, after a headline of five years was reduced on mitigation.
Other details
  • The couple had been in a relationship for sixteen years and had a 15-year-old daughter together.
  • Hertova has no previous convictions and plans to return to the Czech Republic upon release.
  • Mr Ryan had COPD and Parkinson's disease, but these did not contribute to his death.
32 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHertova pleaded guilty to one count of the unlawful killing of James Ryan. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHertova and Mr Ryan had been in a relationship for sixteen years and had a 15-year-old daughter together. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMr Ryan had purchased a half-bottle of vodka for Hertova to have at a barbecue at their house. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAfter consuming the vodka, Hertova went to the shop and purchased more alcohol. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAfter the barbecue, Mr Ryan went to a local pub and at 1am was seen entering a takeaway. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMr Ryan took a taxi home, arriving at 1.30am. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatWhen Mr Ryan arrived home, both began to argue and he walked out to unlock a car in the driveway. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHertova followed him out, told him not to drive, and pushed him so he fell to the ground. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAn ambulance transferred Mr Ryan to Beaumont Hospital where he was referred to palliative care. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCCTV footage showed Hertova forcefully pushing her partner and him striking his head. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred at Hastings Lawn, Balbriggan, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereMr Ryan was transferred to Beaumont Hospital where a brain CT showed bruising to his frontal lobe and a haemorrhage. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenMr Ryan died on August 11, 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenMr Ryan passed away on August 11, 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe cause of death was a blunt force head injury due to a fall. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe post-mortem found the cause of death was a blunt force head injury due to a fall. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationNeighbours viewed CCTV footage from their home and gave it to the gardaí. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationOn August 27, 2024, the house was searched again and Hertova was arrested, detained and interviewed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeOlesja Hertova pleaded guilty to one count of the unlawful killing of James Ryan. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Martin Nolan. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP placed the offence at the lower end of the medium culpability range with a recommended headline sentence of four to ten years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceHertova was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to when she went into custody in August 2024. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe headline sentence was five years, reduced to two years and nine months after mitigation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHertova has no previous convictions. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHertova plans to return to the Czech Republic upon her release from prison. (irishtimes.com, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherCCTV footage shown in court depicted Hertova forcefully pushing her husband. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHertova expressed remorse in a garda interview, saying she had been trying to pull Mr Ryan away from the car. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Ryan had COPD and Parkinson's disease but these did not contribute to his death. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Ryan was 69 years old at the time of his death and had been in a relationship with Hertova since 2006. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherDuring interview, Hertova said she was trying to pull Mr Ryan away from the car so he would not drive it. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Ryan was previously married and had children from that marriage. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 5 Jul2025
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Woman who lost temper and pushed partner who died learns her fate

    Sentencing report: Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two-year-nine-month sentence after a headline of five years, citing the single push, guilty plea, cooperation with gardaí, and good character as mitigation.

    victim, James Ryan, 69, male, irish (judged from name)James Ryanconvicted, Olesja Hertova, 49, female, Czech, named, non-irishOlesja Hertova
  2. 4 Jul2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Woman who pushed and killed husband handed prison sentence of two years and nine months

    Sentencing report: Judge Martin Nolan imposed two years and nine months, backdated to August 2024 custody, after Hertova pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful killing. CCTV footage of the push was played in court. Defence highlighted her early guilty plea, no previous convictions, and plans to return to the Czech Republic.

    victim, James Ryan, 69, male, irish (judged from name)James Ryanconvicted, Olesja Hertova, 49, female, Czech, named, non-irishOlesja Hertova